Hitting Plank

ABSTRACT

This batting training device can be used by either a right handed or left handed batter. The player&#39;s rear foot will be placed on a pivot member that will permit free rotation of the player&#39;s back foot to a predetermined point. The device may be inclined to force the user to maintain his or her weight more on the back foot in order to achieve maximum bat speed that results in maximum power.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

This relates to training a baseball player in the proper mechanics of hitting. In order to achieve maximum power and efficiency the player's weight should be distributed so that more of the weight in on the player's back foot instead of the player's front foot. In this fashion the player can swiftly swing through the pitch by quickly rotating his or her hips. Incorrect hitting mechanics can lead to diminished bat speed, which results in decreased power. If the weight of the player is on the front foot, the player cannot move the bat through the pitch as quickly as needed. Through repetition using this device, the player learns how to distribute his or her weight for proper hitting mechanics.

B. Prior Art

There are many other prior art references to hitting devices, particularly with regard to baseballs, softballs, and/or golf balls.

The mechanics are slightly different between golf and baseball, but they still employ some of the same basic techniques. A representative example in this field can be found at Sawyer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,290.

With the Sawyer device, the batter's lead or front foot is stationary, and the batter's back foot is allowed to pivot. This is the correct movement of the player's back foot. The Sawyer device, however, does not address the other feature of correct mechanics, which is the proper positioning of the player's weight during the swing. The player should not lunge forward during the swing but instead the weight should be placed slightly towards the rear of the person on the person's back foot.

With the current device, because the plank is inclined, the player is “taught” through sheer repetition to keep his or her weight shifted slightly off center on his back foot.

There are other representative examples in the art, but the Sawyer art is the closest with regard to the many similarities with the current application.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With a baseball or softball player, it is important that the baseball player maintain his or her weight slightly towards his or her back foot.

If the player's weight is allowed to move forward during a swing, the player's power will be greatly reduced. The power of a baseball swing is derived from rapid rotation of the hips as the baseball bat travels through the hitting zone. This is accomplished by keeping the back foot stationary but allowing it to rotate and at the same time not permitting the player to shift his weight forward.

The purpose of this device is to insure that the beginner, intermediate or advanced player is reminded of correct hitting technique.

The device is a plank that will be sturdy enough to support the weight of an individual. One end will be stationary with a pivot member for the player's back foot. The back foot of the player is placed on the pivot member and this will be allowed to freely rotate as the batter takes practice swings. A means to secure the player's back foot such as a strap may also be provided.

The plank may also be hinged in the approximate center so that storage of the device can be accomplished with relative ease.

The other end of the plank can be elevated to insure that the weight of the player remains slightly back of center in order to reinforce the concept that the player's weight should be focused on the back foot of the player as opposed to the front foot in order to obtain maximum bat speed and power through the hitting zone. As the player swings, the player uses the back foot as a plant so that he can quickly rotate his hips through the swing. If the player's weight has shifted forward the back foot will not be planted such that the rotation of the bat through the hitting zone is diminished.

Many ways can be employed to elevate the front end of the plank and many different levels or degrees of elevation may be achieved. These different degrees of elevation will allow the device to train many different types of players and their swings until the person “learns” the correct method to swing a bat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an in use view of the device with the batter depicted on the plank and depicting a means to elevate the end of the plank.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the device depicting a second alternative embodiment of the means to elevate the device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the device depicting a third alternative embodiment of the means to elevate the device.

FIG. 3A is an isometric view of the means to elevate the device as depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is side view of the device depicting a fourth alternative embodiment of the means to elevate the device.

NUMBERING REFERENCE

-   1 Batter -   2 Plank -   3 Pivot Mechanism -   4 Back foot of batter -   5 Stop Mechanism on pivot mechanism -   7 Hinge -   8 Means to elevate -   12 Steps -   13 Cavities for protrusions -   14 Protrusions -   15 Front foot of batter -   20 Elevator Feet on plank -   21 Tube -   22 Holes in tube -   22A Pin in elevator foot -   25 Threaded Feet -   30 Reinforcing member

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In order to achieve maximum potential during a baseball swing the weight of the baseball player 1 should remain slightly more on the back foot 10 during the swing. If the player lunges or moves forward during the swing and transfers weight to the front foot 15, the power of the swing is greatly reduced. Maximum power is achieved when the weight is slightly positioned on the back foot and the player is allowed to quickly pivot his or her back foot 10 as he rotates his or her back and hips through the swing.

In order to achieve the maximum potential the player stands on the device, which is a plank, a planar member 2. The first end of the planar member can be elevated to “train” a player in the correct position of his body during a swing by forcing a shift of his weight backward on the rear foot. This first end can be elevated to varying degrees depending on the skill level of the player.

In order to prevent the planar member 2 from excessive sag during a swing reinforcing members 30 such as depicted in FIG. 2 may also be provided to provide additional support for the player 1. Additionally in order to store the device, the sections of the planar member may be hinged 7 so that the plank may be folded.

While elevation of one end of the planar member is important in terms of maintaining the correct position of the player's weight, in order to achieve maximum rotation, the player's rear foot is placed in a pivot mechanism 3 which prevents the back foot from rotating more than approximately ninety degrees during the player's swing. This pivot mechanism 3 is positioned on the second end of the planar member 2. The pivot mechanism 3 should not prevent rotation beyond a certain point to prevent injury to the player and this is usually no more than ninety degrees. A stop mechanism 5 is provided for that purpose; the stop mechanism 5 may be stationary as depicted or may be adjustable. The stop mechanism 5 will prevent rotation of the back foot 10 beyond approximately ninety degrees although there may be some rotation slightly less than ninety degrees and some rotation slightly more than ninety degrees.

The player's rear foot can be secured to the pivot mechanism 3 using a strap 4 (not depicted) or similar securing mechanism to insure that the player's foot remains on the pivot mechanism 3.

The planar member 2 should be wide enough so that the batter 1 can stand comfortably on the planar member while swinging. This device can be used for a left handed batter as well as a right handed batter.

In the first embodiment of this device such as depicted in FIG. 1 the means to elevate the first end of the planar member is a solid member 8 with a flat bottom surface and an indentation onto which the first end is placed. The first end of the plank may also be secured to the means to elevate 8. Different sized means to elevate 8 may be used depending on the skill of the player.

In a second embodiment such as depicted in FIG. 2 steps 12 may be used. The steps 12 will permit different elevation of the first end. Cavities 13 on the top surface of the step(s) are provided. A plurality of protrusions 14 on the bottom surface of the planar member of the plank are provided and will be inserted into the cavities 13.

In a third embodiment a pair of adjustable elevator feet 20 that are flanged are inserted into tubes 21, which are secured to the first end of bottom surface of the planar member. A plurality of holes 22 on the tubes 21 and the feet would be provided and a means to secure the position of the feet through use of a pin 22A would be provided.

In a fourth embodiment a pair of flanged feet 25 on the bottom surface of the first end of the planar member would be threaded into threaded cavities.

While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A hitting plank, which is comprised of: a. a planar member; wherein the planar member is of predetermined dimensions; wherein the planar member has a first end and a second end; b. pivot mechanism; wherein a pivot mechanism is provided; said pivot mechanism is placed on the second end of the planar member; wherein the batter's rear foot is placed on the pivot mechanism; c. a stop mechanism for the pivot mechanism; wherein a stop mechanism for the pivot mechanism is provided; said stop mechanism prevents rotation of the pivot mechanism beyond a predetermined point; wherein the first end of the planar member may be raised; wherein reinforcing members are provided; wherein the sections of the planar member are hinged.
 2. The hitting plank as described in claim 1 wherein the stop mechanism is stationary.
 3. The hitting plank as described in claim 1 wherein the stop mechanism is adjustable.
 4. The hitting plank as is described in claim 1 wherein the first end of the planar member is raised by using a solid member that is placed under the first end of the planar member.
 5. The hitting plank as described in claim 1 wherein the first end of the planar member is further comprised of the following: a pair of tubes that are secured to the bottom surface of the first and end of the planar member; wherein a pair of elevator feet are inserted into the pair of tubes; wherein a plurality of holes are provided in the pair of tubes; wherein the elevator feet are placed in the pair of tubes.
 6. The first end of the planar member as described in claim 5 wherein a pin is provided.
 7. The hitting plank as described in claim 1 wherein the first end of the planar member is further comprised of the following: a pair of tubes that are secured to the bottom surface of the first end of the planar member; wherein the tubes are internally threaded; wherein a pair of threaded feet are inserted into the tubes; wherein the threaded feet are flanged. 